Bordeaux Flashcards
1
Q
Who is Émile Peynaud?
A
- Professor of Oenology at Bordeaux University
- encouraged the use of fruit of young vine stocks under a second label (gave a boost to grand vin)
1912-2004
2
Q
Who is Robert Parker?
A
- He championed the 1982 Bordeaux vintage, giving high scores
- Launched his career and triggered the 3rd Golden Age
Bordeaux is still in 3rd Golden Age
3
Q
What does Aquitaine mean?
A
“well-watered place”
4
Q
What are the Dordogne & Garonne in Bordeaux?
A
rivers
5
Q
What is the Gironde?
A
It is an estuary that links the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers to the Atlantic Ocean.
6
Q
What are the 3 levels of AOC in Bordeaux?
A
- Regional
- Sub-Regional
- Commune
They get more precise as you get to the Commune level
7
Q
What is the difference between Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC?
A
- Bordeaux Supérieur AOC wines require lower yields and higher minimum ABV
- There is no dry white Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
8
Q
What are the 3 principal rivers in Bordeaux?
A
Garonne
Dordogne
Gironde Estuary
9
Q
What place does Carménère have in Bordeaux?
A
- a rarity within the modern Bordeaux blends
- succumbed to the diseases of the 1800s and was not replanted on a large scale
10
Q
What does Petit Verdot add to the Bordeaux blend and how popular is it in Bordeaux?
A
- adds tannin, pigment, and spice to the Bordeaux blend
- now ripens more regularly and is becoming fashionable again
11
Q
Where is Malbec (Côt) found in Bordeaux and what does it add to a blend?
A
- largely found in Blaye, Bourg, and Entre-deux-Mers.
- low-acid nature softens a blend and adds black fruit
12
Q
What place does Cabernet Franc have in Bordeaux?
A
- plays a significant role in Saint-Émilion (sometimes 30-35% of blend)
- forms the backbone of the red blends in the Côtes.
- flavor and structure similar to Cabernet Sauvignon but to lesser degree
- has a leafy, tea-like nature that Cab Sauv does not
13
Q
What place does Cabernet Sauvignon have in Bordeaux?
A
- 20% of area under vine
- forms the backbone of the Left Bank blends
- inherent structure crafts wines that can age for decades
14
Q
What place does Merlot have in Bordeaux?
A
- 59% of area under vine
- most widely planted variety in Bordeaux
- add “flesh” to Cabernet Sauvignon’s skeletal structure and fruit to Cabernet Franc’s herbal/leafy flavor profile
with global warming, its future is unclear
15
Q
What place does Muscadelle have in Bordeaux?
A
- an intensely aromatic variety
- general used in small amounts (5% or less) to boost the aromatics of sweet wines
16
Q
What place does Sauvignon Blanc have in Bordeaux?
A
- typically dominates Bordeaux’s dry white blends
- inceasingly becoming the only grape in those bottlings
17
Q
What place does Sémillon have in Bordeaux?
A
- typically used as primary grape for sweet wine
- quite susceptible to botrytis
- has natural affininty for oak
- used to be most planted white grape in Bordeaux, but Sauvignon Blanc has caught up
18
Q
What are the 3 primary white grapes of Bordeaux?
A
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
19
Q
What three Entre-Deux-Mers sites can bottle dry red wines under their own AOC name?
A
- Graves de Vayres AOC
- Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
- Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
20
Q
What four Entre-deux-Mers AOCs produce sweet wines of at least 4.5% RS?
A
- Cadillac AOC (sweet only)
- Loupiac AOC (sweet only)
- Côte de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (dry and semi-sweet wines also)
- Saint-Croix-du-Mont (sweet only)
21
Q
What 5 Entre-Deux-Mers AOCs produce Moelleux or semi-sweet wines (1.2 - 4.5% RS)?
A
- Graves de Vayres AOC (red & dry white also)
- Sainte-Foy-Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (Reds & dry white also)
- Entre-deux-mers Haut-Benauge AOC (dry white also)
- Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC (Dry and sweet white also)
- Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (Red also)
22
Q
What is the only AOC that is white-only in Entre-Deux-Mers?
A
Entre-deux-Mers AOC
Also Entre-deux-Mers Haut-Benauge DGC
23
Q
What are the general details of the Bordeaux region of Entre-Deux-Mers?
A
- between the Dordogne & Garonne Rivers
- soils are quite complex
- alluvial deposits flank the rivers
- some slopes are pure gravel
- plateaus and hillsides are composite of clay and sand as well as clay and limestone
- majority of vineyards are dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc
- most AOCs make dry and sweet wine
24
Q
T or F? The Médoc region only produces red wine?
A
True
25
What is the Saint-Émilion classification?
* It is the only Right Bank classification system
* Established in 1955 revised every 10 years
* Classification of 2012, 82 properties ranked
* 4 Premières Grands Cru's classés A level
* 14 Premières Grands Cru's classés B level
* 64 Grand Cru's classé
| Saint-Émilion Grand Cru = AOC; Saint-Émilion Grand Crus Classé - classif
26
What is the Graves classification system?
* Classifications in 1953, revised in 1959
* Ranked the wines of 16 estates:
* 6 for red + white
* 3 for white only
* 7 for red only
* All wines fall within the Pessac-Leognan AOC and are entitled to the status: "Grand Cru Classé de Graves"
| Only system in Bordeaux that ranks the wines, not the estates.
27
What are Cru Artisans?
* small (2.5-12.5 ac) estates
* entirely responsible for their own red wine production process
* 36 in the 2018 classification
* recognized "boutique" wineries of quality
28
What is a Petit Chateau?
Any unranked or unclassified property.
| All Cru Bourgeois are Petit Chateau
29
What was the Classification of 1855 in Médoc?
Napoleon III had the Châteaux ranked in 1855
87 were ranked:
* 60 Châteaux from Medoc
* 1 Château from Pessac-Leognan
* reds were ranked from 1st growth to 5th growth
* 26 Châteaux from Sauternes + Barsac
* whites were ranked from Supérieur growth to 2nd growth
| Now 27 wines from Sauternes + Barsac
30
Why is Bordeaux well known?
* Greatest percentage of large wine estates of any region in France
* Produces most of France's luxury bottlings
* Farms 25% of all AOC wine in France
31
What are the 2 world heritage sites in Bordeaux?
The City of Bordeaux (2007)
Saint-Émilion (1999)
32
How large is the Bordeaux wine region?
* 63 miles N to S
* 78 miles E to W
* 274K acres of vineyards
* Nearly 4x the size of vineyard landscape of Bourgogne
33
What is the climate like in Bordeaux?
* Maritime climate due to Atlantic influences
* Receives 37" of rain per year
* Irrigation is not necessary or legal
* Gulf Stream warms and regulates temperatures
34
What grape suffered the most during the freeze of 1956?
Malbec
| It was replaced by more cold-hardy Merlot
35
What are the origins of Bordeaux soils?
* Last Ice Age left extensive river deposits and maritime sediments
* Bordeaux soils are sedimentary
* Gravel terraces interspersed with sand, silt, and clay
* Also fresh-water and salt-water limestone
36
What are the two types of Bordeaux soils and how do they affect characteristics of wines?
Warm Soils (Left Bank)
- Gravel: firm tannins & structured wines
- Sand: more opulent, soft, & fruit forward wine
Cold Soils (Right Bank)
- Clay: produces wine with noticeable texture
- Limestone: wines with pronounced acidity and lean, polished tannins
37
T or F? The Bordeaux Blend is mandated by law?
False
38
How many miles inland does the Gironde tidal extend?
75 Miles
39
What did the 1855 classification system rank?
The price points at which the top wines in Bordeaux were selling
40
T or F? Bordeaux produces more AOC wines than anywhere else in France.
True
41
What are the four Saint-Émilion satellites?
1. Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
1. Montagne-Saint-Émilion AOC
1. Puisseguin Saint-Émilion AOC
1. Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion AOC
| Same flavors and aromas as Saint Emilion but more delicate structure.
42
What are the seasons like in Bordeaux?
**Spring:** wet + often accompanied by frost
**Summer:** warm + sunny. Moderate cloud cover causing grapes to sometimes struggle to ripen
**Fall:** variable, sometimes rain risking the harvest
**Winter:** moderate, there can be freezes like 1956
43
Does "Saint-Émilion Grand Cru" represent a classified estate?
No, this is an AOC
| "Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé " represents a classification
44
What is different about the Pomerol soil?
It is very iron rich on marl bedrock
45
What are the 5 DGCs that can contribute grapes to the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC dry red?
1. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
4. Francs Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
3. Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
5. Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
6. Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
46
What are the characteristics of the Côtes?
* The slope to the river/estuary
* Mainly located on right banks
* Most are southwest facing
* Have clay/limestone soils
* Mostly planted to Merlot & Cabernet Franc
47
What is the Ciron?
* A river with cool water because it travels through shade of Les Landes.
* It reaches the warm waters of the Garonne and creates mist that promotes Botrytis cenerea.
48
What is the difference between Claret and Clairet?
**Claret:** English nickname for Bordeaux reds
**Clairet:** a semi-red, darker than rosé, but lighter than red wine
49
What are the red grapes on the left bank and right bank in Bordeaux?
Left Bank:
- Gravel: Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
- Sand: Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Right Bank:
- Limestone: Cabernet Franc & Malbec
- Clay: Merlot
50
Describe the Right Bank AOC of Bourg/Côtes de Bourg/Bourgeais.
* reds and dry white
* Merlot dominant (red)
* Sauvignon Blanc dominant (white)
51
Describe the Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire AOC.
* dry white, semi-sweet and sweet wine
* located along the right bank of the Garonne
* consists of a series of clay and limestone hills
52
Describe the right bank Blaye AOC and Côtes de Blaye AOC.
* Blaye AOC, red wine only
* Minimum 50% Merlot and both Cabernets
* Côtes de Blaye AOC, dry whites only based on Colombard and Ugni Blanc
53
What are the secondary red grapes in Bordeaux?
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Carmenère
54
Describe the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux AOC.
* semi-sweet to sweet white
* Sémillon dominant
* Minimum 3.4% RS
55
What soils are better for Cabernet Franc?
Cold Soils: limestone
56
Describe the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.
* red wine dominates production
* reds based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc
* a lot of limestone, so Cabernet Franc is significant comoponent
* dry and sweet whites based on Sémillon
57
What soils are best for Merlot?
Cold soils - clay
58
Describe the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.
* red only
* abundance of clay
* Merlot often comprises 70-80% of the blend
59
Describe the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux DGC
* right bank of the Garonne
* Red only
* Merlot dominant but w/ significant Cabernet Sauvignon
* soils: clay and limestone interspersed with pockets of gravel
60
What soil types are best for Cabernet Sauvignon?
Warm soils: gravel + sand
61
What are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Sauvignon Blanc + Cabernet Franc
62
Describe the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux DGC.
* dry white, red
* 3% of all the dry white wine made in Bordeaux
* Only 40% of production is red (Merlot-based)
63
Which classification system ranks the wines of Bordeaux not the Estates?
Graves
22 Crus Classés de Graves (or Grand Crus Classés de Graves)
| 16 estates
64
Who invaded Bordeaux after the fall of Rome?
Vandals, Visigoths then the Franks
65
What event happened in 1152?
Eleanor d' Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou
Henry then became King Henry II of England and Duke of Normandy
This union gave England control over Aquitaine, Gascony and a good portion of western France.
66
What gave birth to Bordeaux's 1st Golden Age?
The commercial ties to England brought about by Eleanor of Aquitaine & Henry Plantagenet
67
What was the Hundred Years War?
England's King Edward III refused to pay homage to the King of France starting the war.
The French won the war in 1453 at the Battle of Castillon.
68
What did the Dutch do in the 1600s to Bordeaux?
* The Dutch mercantile empire gained significant influence after the 100 years war.
* Bordeaux shifted production to dry white wine to meet Dutch needs.
* The Dutch drained the Médoc peninsula reclaiming vineyard lands.
69
What heralded Bordeaux's 2nd Golden Age?
* Trade with new Dutch and British colonies.
* The wealthy began building luxurious Chateaus with surrounding vineyards.
* This was started by Haut Brion.
70
What was the impact of the railway on Bordeaux?
The railway linked Bordeaux to inland France reviving trade.
71
Who was Napoleon III?
* He was pro-mercantile and re-established trade with England.
* He initiated the reasons for the 1855 classification system.
72
What is Powdery Mildew?
* It is a fungal disease that hit Bordeaux in 1852.
* Thick white filaments blanket the vine which can reduce yields, retard pigment and stunt cluster growth.
* It also creates off flavors.
73
What is Phylloxera?
* A small insect indigenous to the USA that arrived in Bordeaux in 1865.
* It kills grapevines by attacking roots, saliva creates galls in the vine.
* European Vitis Vinifera vines are unable to heal over the bite wounds.
* Bacteria and fungi enter the plant and rot the root.
* American vines are immune to this vineyard pest.
74
What is Downy Mildew?
* It is a fungal disease that hit Bordeaux in 1880.
* Germinates in warm, humid weather.
* Attacks leave and stems, first with "oil spots" the with white cotton filaments.
* Vines lose leaves which can delay or prevent ripening.
75
Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs Saint-Émilion & Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
* They cover the exact same area of production.
* Grand cru has tougher standards: lower yields and higher alcohol.
* Grand Cru must also be bottled at the Chateaux with 2 tastings 1 before and 1 after the 1 year of bottle time.
* Limestone & Clay soil with high acid and polished tannins
* Sandy soil is fruit forward.
76
Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs of Pomerol and Lalande-de-Pomerol.
* Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends with heady aromas and rich textures.
* Soft, velvety, round, and generous.
* Unique Iron rich clay soils.
* Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are less aromatic and less structured than Pomerol and characterized by bright berry fruit.
77
Describe the Libournais right bank AOCs of Fronsac & Canon Fronsac.
* Only two Libournais AOCs that lie on the right bank of the Isle River.
* Clay & limestone soils.
* Merlot & Cabernet Franc dominant.
* Wines are characterized by red fruits and black pepper.
78
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Pessac-Léognan.
* Received AOC status in 1987
* Northwest portion of Graves with deep gravel soils.
* Note-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon based reds.
* Many reds possess a unique hint of clove on the finish.
* Also Sauvignon-based whites often see oak.
79
What are the general details on the right bank region of the Libournais?
* Principle City is Libourne.
* Merlot & Cabernet Franc blends
* Silken in texture less powerfully structured than the left bank.
80
What happened in 1956 in Bordeaux?
A deep freeze that killed 1/4 of Bordeaux vines.
| Those that replanted did so with red grapes primarily Merlot.
81
What are the 3 principle red grapes of Bordeaux?
1. Merlot 59%
1. Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
1. Cabernet Franc 8%
82
What are the 3 principal white grapes in Bordeaux?
Sémillon 5%
Sauvignon Blanc 5%
Muscadelle less than 3%
83
What is Les Landes?
A massive man made forest, 2.5 million acres
| Planted to protect the Médoc peninsula.
84
When did the Romans arrive in Bordeaux?
1st Century
85
What did the 1789 French Revolution do to Bordeaux?
Because the merchant class not the Church owned the vineyards the impact was not as bad as in Bourgogne.
86
Why did Bordeaux escape the extreme fractionalization of Vineyard holdings that we saw in Bourgogne?
* Incorporation
* The Bordelais incorporated their estates
* Ownership was "fragmented" on paper as shares, but the Chateaux and vineyards remained intact
87
Just as trade began to flourish in Bordeaux in the 1800's, what 3 things hit the vineyards?
1852 Powdery Mildew
1865 Phylloxera
1880 Downy Mildew
88
What is the main grape on Bordeaux's left bank?
Cabernet Sauvignon
89
How are reds from Entre-deux-Mers labeled?
Bordeaux AOC & Bordeaux Supérieur AOC
90
What Médoc AOC is considered the most "Feminine" and perfumed?
Margaux AOC
91
Why is Graves suited for sweet wine production?
Damp, foggy mornings followed by warm dry afternoons that promote Noble Rot.
92
What style of wine is produced in the Cérons, Barsac and Sauternes AOCs?
Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot
93
What defines Cru Bourgeois?
* A list created in 1932 of 444 Châteaux from the Médoc not included in the 1855 classification.
* Ratification in 2020 (for the 2018 vintage). 249 châteaux were ranked in three levels.
* Ranking will be reviewed every five years.
| Crus Bourgeois, Crus Bourgeois Supérieurs, Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnels.
94
What Bordeaux soils are considered cold?
Clay & Limestone because they retain moisture.
95
Describe the Graves left bank AOC of Sauternes.
* Special Macro climate promoting Botrytis.
* Southernmost portion of Graves.
* The Sauternais consists of the 3 AOCs: Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons
* The Ciron River creates the fog that engenders Botrytis.
96
What are the general details on the Bordeaux wine region of Graves?
* Warm gravel soils
* Whites are predominantly Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends
* Reds are Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
97
What are the main grapes of Bordeaux's right bank?
Merlot & Cabernet Franc
98
Why is Malbec seldom planted in Bordeaux?
The winter freeze of 1956 destroyed most Malbec plantings.
| And they were replaced with Merlot.
99
Describe the Sauternais AOC of Cérons.
* produced in three communes north of Barsac
* tiny area under vine
* maximum yields higher than Sauternes or Barsac
* soil has higher gravel and sand content
100
Describe the Sauternais AOC of Barsac.
* lies on left bank of the Ciron across from Sauternes.
* clay-limestone plateau
* wine display a distinctive lemony freshness attributed to limestone
* Can bottle as Sauternes if desired (in Sauternes zone of production)
101
Describe the Sauternais AOC of Sauternes.
* soils are diverse, but generally sand, gravel, clay, marl, and limestone.
* 2/3 planted to Sémillon, 1/3 to Sauvignon Blanc
* wines are sweet and voluptuous, complex and concentrated with great aging ability.
102
What are the 3 AOCs of Graves and the 3 AOCs of Sauternais?
3 Graves AOCs
* Graves AOC (red & white)
* Graves Supérieur AOC (semi-sweet whites)
* Pessac-Léognan AOC (red & white)
3 Sauternais AOCs
* Sauternes AOC
* Barsac AOC
* Cérons AOC
103
What style of wine is made under the Entre-deux-Mers AOC?
dry white wines only
104
What is "Clairet"
A semi-red wine made by the saignée method
105
Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between?
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc
106
What 3 Bordeaux winegrowing areas were included in the 1855 Classification?
Médoc (60 Chateaus)
Graves (now Pessac-Leognan) (1 Chateau)
Sauternes/Barsac (26 Chateaus)
| Now 61 Médoc, 27 Sauternes/Barsac
107
What style of wine is made in the Médoc ?
Dry reds only
108
What moderates Bordeaux's climate?
* the Gulf Stream
* Les Landes
* a network of rivers
109
What is the main soil type of Bordeaux's left bank?
Gravel
110
What are the 3 primary white grapes in Bordeaux?
1. Sémillon
1. Sauvignon Blanc
1. Muscadelle
111
How many categories of "Growths" were given to red wines in Bordeaux's 1855 Classification?
Five
112
What style of wine is produced in the Libournais?
* Merlot-based blends, with juicy red fruit, smooth body and subtle tannins
* Wines from the Libournais can be powerful, but tend to be softer and smoother than wines from the Left Bank
113
A semi-sweet wine from Graves must be labeled as?
Graves Supérieurs AOC
114
What did the 1953 Graves Classification rank?
The wines of 16 estates, rather than the estates themselves
115
What estate is the only Premier Cru Supérieur of the 1855 Classification?
Château d'Yquem
116
What are the main soil types of Bordeaux's right bank?
clay & limestone
117
How does Bordeaux Supérieur AOC differ from Bordeaux AOC?
* Stricter production standards
* Lower max yields and higher alcohol
* Reds must be aged until June 15th of following year
* Whites are always semi-sweet
118
What is the difference between Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé?
The first one is an AOC, the second is a ranking within the classification system.
119
What Bordeaux AOC produces dry whites mainly from Colombard and Ugni Blanc?
Côtes de Blaye AOC
120
What are the 5 sub-regional designations (DGCs) of the Côtes de Bordeaux AOC?
Blaye
Francs
Castillon
Sainte-Foy
Cadillac
121
What style of wines is produced in the Cadillac, Loupiac, and Ste-Croix-du-Mont AOC's?
Sweet wines affected by Noble Rot
122
What right bank sub-region has a classification system?
Saint-Émilion
123
What Médoc AOC is considered the most Californian?
Saint-Julien
124
What is the primary grape of Entre-Deux-Mers?
Sauvignon Blanc
125
What defines the term "Petit Château"?
"Petit Château" is an unofficial term for an unclassified property in the Bordeaux region
126
What Bordeaux soils are considered warm?
Gravel and sand because they radiate heat back to the vine
127
What are the production stats on Bordeaux wine?
* 5,660 estates
* 300 wine merchants
* 72 brokers
* 29 co-operatives
* 3 co-operative unions
553 million bottles of wine (2019)
128
Describe rosé production in Bordeaux.
2 types produced
**rosé: pink**
* rosé receives quick maceration resulting in lighter color
**clairet: light red**
* clairet receives a maceration of 24-36 hours, made saignée
129
What are some characteristics of how red wine is produced in Bordeaux.
* Grape Varieties are harvested and fermented separately as are young and old vines
* Fermentation 8 - 10 days
* Maceration 15 - 21 days or longer
* Blended after malolactic fermentation
* Barrels/barriques add wood tannins to wine needing time to soften or mellow
130
Describe sweet wine production in Bordeaux?
MOELLEUX (semi-sweet)
* Grapes can be hand harvested, selective sorting not required
* Sound grapes and botrytized grapes are combined
* Finished RS 1.2 - 4.5% RS (12-45 g/l)
LIQUOREUX (sweet)
* Only botrytized infected, hand picked grapes are used
* Multiple passes in the vineyard are used
* Finished RS > 4.5% RS (45 g/l)
131
Describe the left bank AOC of Moulis-en-Médoc/Moulis.
* varied soils with higher content of clay and marls
* climate less moderated because of distance from the Gironde
* wines are primarily Merlot-based and full-bodied
132
Describe the dry white wine production in Bordeaux.
* wide range of quality levels
* one end: bright, fresh, fermented and matured in stainless steel w/ no malo so that aromatics are preserved
* other end: top-end wines from Pessac-Léognan/Graves/dry white in Sauternes or Barsac, often barrel fermented and aged on lees, richer textures and creamier flavors
133
What are the Crémant de Bordeaux wines like?
* Made in the Methode Traditionelle method
* Minimum 9 months aging sur lie
* White or Rosé
* Extra Brut to Doux
134
What are the Rosés like in Bordeaux?
always dry
pink in color, no orange
135
Describe the left bank AOC of Listrac-Médoc.
* edge of vineyard landscape where it meets the forest
* soils: clay, sands, and limestone
* Merlot predominant in blend
* heavier and denser with less fragrance than other Médoc
* benefit from a few years in the cellar
136
Describe the left bank AOC of Margaux.
The most feminine and perfumed of the Médoc AOCs
137
What are the details on the Médoc and Haut Médoc AOCs
* Representing a large portion of the western peninsula on the left bank
* Médoc AOC is a small growing area in the north -- clay and limestone
* Haut-Médoc AOC is south -- gravel atop various subsoils
138
Côt is a synonym for which grape variety?
Malbec
139
What are the prefered soils for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot: clay
Cabernet Franc: limestone
Cabernet Sauvignon: gravel & sand
140
Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Julien.
Considered the most California like
Chocolate and cherry
141
Describe the left bank AOC of Pauillac.
* powerful, structured wines with tremendous ageability
* benchmark note of dusty cocoa
142
Describe the left bank AOC of Saint-Estèphe.
* higher percentage of clay (windier/cooler)
* higher percentage of Merlot in Cab-sauv-dominant blend
143
What are the 8 AOCs (regional and communal) on the Médoc peninsula?
8 AOCs (ALL RED WINES)
* 2 sub-regional AOC's
Médoc & Haut Médoc, facing primarily to the west
* 6 Communal AOC's
Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux in the east
Moulis-en-Médoc and Listrac-Médoc in the center
| Crémant de Bordeaux also covers this area.
144
What are the 6 Bordeaux sub-regional AOC's?
They refer to a singular part of the region:
* Médoc
* Graves
* the Sauternais
* Entre-deux-Mers
* the Libournais
* the Côtes
145
Describe the Entre-Deux-Mers area in Bordeaux.
* soils are quite complex
* majority of vineyards dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc
* most AOCs make dry and sweet wine
* red blends are Merlot dominant and bottled as Bordeaux AOC
146
Describe the right bank in Bordeaux.
* String of small hills interrupted by a low lying plateaus and deep valleys
* Clay & limestone soils
* Blends are based on Merlot & Cabernet Franc
* Supple wines with soft plummy fruit
147
Describe the left bank of Bordeaux.
* Relatively flat
* Gravel soils
* Cabernet Sauvignon based blends
* More firmly structured, lots of tannins
148
What are the 3 main areas of Bordeaux?
Left Bank
Right Bank
Entre-Deux-Mers
149
What is Bordeaux's most planted white grape variety?
Sémillon
150
What is Bordeaux's most planted grape variety?
Merlot
151
Who was Joseph Capus?
He was deputy of the Gironde and as Ministery of Agriculture, drafted the document that became the French *appellation d'origine contrôlée* legislation.
